Iran. . .
No, let’s NOT “Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran” (as U.S. Senator John McCain so heartlessly sang). Instead, let’s visit the country and see for
ourselves what it’s like. That's just what I am doing!
Everyone who goes, gives it rave reviews, and finds
it very different and much better than what they expected. Visitors are
pleasantly impressed by the welcoming warmth and friendliness of the people,
and the impressive history and culture of the country. The Iranian
people are suffering financially from the criminal U.S. sanctions – a blatant
act of war. All the more reason to support them, and call for sanctions against
the real imperial warmongers instead.
Some recent stories about Iran posted on my
Facebook:
BBC's HARDtalk
Stephen Sackur speaks to Iranian political analyst and erstwhile nuclear talks adviser Mohamed Marandi. "...Iran is again facing US sanctions after President Trump
walked away from the nuclear deal with Tehran. Is Iran on the brink of an economic and political crisis?..."
MEET THE FEMALE TOUR GUIDE CHALLENGING MISCONCEPTIONS OF IRAN
Nikki Vargas: “…Meet Nadia Badiee, a tour guide for Intrepid
Travel’s new Women’s Expedition Tour to Iran, which leads women on a 12-day
trip from Shiraz to Eghlid and beyond. Badiee—a progressive woman in her own
right— aims to debunk the many assumptions that surround Iran and its women by
leading a trip that takes travelers behind-the-scenes to meet some of Iran’s
entrepreneurial and forward-thinking ladies…
Tourists who think about visiting
Iran should form their opinion by reading about other tourist’s experiences and
watching some of the videos that these same tourists have made. This way,
travelers will discover that the newspapers are too negative and pessimistic.
Iran is a beautiful and peaceful country that welcomes foreigners of all
kinds…”
Economic war on Iran is war on Eurasia integration
US sanctions on Iran should be interpreted as a piece in a much
larger chessboard
By Pepe Escobar: "...The U.S. sanctions offensive, launched after Washington’s
unilateral pullout from the Iran nuclear deal, should be interpreted as an
advance gambit in the New Great Game at whose center lies China’s New Silk Road
– arguably the most important infrastructure project of the 21st century — and
overall Eurasia integration….”
Russia and Iran among five coastal nations forging landmark
Caspian Sea deal
Five countries with shores on the world’s largest inland body of
water sign legal convention to share its resources
“Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani met on Sunday after a
dramatic few days in which both were threatened with punishing economic
sanctions by the US… The Russian and Iranian presidents were in the small
Kazakh coastal city of Aktau to sign a legal convention on the Caspian Sea… A
legally binding convention that prevents Caspian nations from opening their
borders to third party aggressors – such as the US or NATO – or allowing any
foreign military presence at all on Caspian waters is a triumph for Putin.
For
Rouhani, a strategic display of Russian support is more pressing… The best
possible outcome for the Iranians will be to walk away with something tangible
to take back to Tehran that says we’re doing just fine with or without US
sanctions.”
Iran’s Long List of Grievances Against the United States
By Muhammad Sahimi, August 13, 2018
“…The US exit from the JCPOA is, however, illegal. When the
JCPOA was signed in 2015, it was endorsed by the UN Security Council, which
approved unanimously Resolution 2231 expressing its endorsement. The Resolution
was filed in the framework of Chapter VII of UN Charter that deals with peace
and stability in the world.
According to the Charter, it is mandatory for all
members of the UN to abide by the provisions of any Resolution filed under
Chapter VII. Thus, not only has the US broken its promises to Iran and violated
its commitment to the JCPOA, it is also in violation of its obligations toward
the UN….
…But, Iran’s grievances do not end with violations of the two
treaties, and imposition of the economic sanctions. In addition to supporting
the dictatorship of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the US sided with Saddam
Hussein’s regime during its war with Iran. The US destroyed two of Iran’s
offshore oil platforms in the Persian Gulf in 1987; it attacked the Iranian
navy in the same year, and shot down Iran’s passenger airliner over the Persian
Gulf in July 1988, killing 290 people, including 63 children.
Since 1995, the
United States has prevented large-scale foreign investment in Iran’s oil and
natural gas industries. The complete list of grievances is too long to be given
here. As a UN member, the US is violating its obligations toward that
organization and its charter by trying to topple Iran’s political system.
Ever since the 1979 Revolution, the image of Iran and its people
that has been presented to the American public has been unreal and completely
distorted.
Iran’s population of 83 million is young, educated [Iran’s rate of
literacy is 93 percent], and very well connected to the rest of the world.
While Iranian people want democracy, respect for human rights, economic
prosperity, and friendly relations with the rest of the world, which the
Islamic Republic has failed to a large extent to deliver, they also reject
outside intervention in their internal affairs...
So, next time when you read about Iran, remember what the US has
done to that nation for the past 65 years.”
US boycott of Iran risks being godsend for China and Russia
RYO NAKAMURA and HIDEMITSU KIBE, Nikkei staff writers
August 07, 2018
“China and Russia have indicated no plans to cooperate with
U.S.-led efforts to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran, with both positioned
to pursue trade and enhance their influence in the Middle Eastern country…”
PHOTO: Tehran braces for so-called snapback sanctions triggered
by Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear accord. © Reuters
Three Reasons Why 'Fire and Fury' Won’t Work With Iran
By Scott Ritter: “…The danger here is that Trump doesn’t realize he
is playing a losing hand. His bluff will be called by Iran (indeed, based upon
Rouhani’s words, it has been called), but Trump will continue to throw chips
into the pot until compelled to either reverse course and rejoin the JCPOA
(unlikely), or force the issue and watch the United States enter a war with
Iran it will not lose—but cannot win.”
PHOTO: The crew of the littoral
combat ship USS Coronado performs a live-fire demonstration of a Kongsberg
missile off Southern California. (Naval Warriors / Flickr Creative
Commons)
Hello, They
Lied To You About Iran!
By Andre
Vltchek:
“…I have just left
Tehran, a city with a tremendous history and culture, overflowing with museums,
theatres, wonderfully kept parks dotted with modern art sculptures.
It is a
city with modern and fully subsidized public transportation, consisting of
high-tech metro, ecological bus ways, as well as suburban trains. A city of
tall trees, and quiet squares, of elegant cafes, and extremely educated and
kind people.
A city that could easily be part of the ‘top ten’ cities
on Earth, were it not the capital of a country that the West is trying to
ruin, first with unjust and draconian sanctions, and then, who knows, even by a
militarily invasion.
What do most Westerners know about Iran; what were they
told?...
...You are also expected to remain ignorant about Iran’s social
system, clearly socialist. Free education and medical care, greatly subsidized
public transportation and culture, huge public spaces and to some extent, strong
government and at least partially, central planning.
Despite those absolutely unjust, terrible sanctions imposed, with
some interruptions, from Washington and its allies, Iran is standing tall,
trying as much as it can to take care of its people. And despite the terrible
ordeal Iranian people are being put through, they do not cheat and do not
steal.
The exchange rate collapsed after Washington imposed another round of
bizarre sanctions, triggering frustration, even protests. But the majority of
Iranians understands who the real culprit is. And it is no secret that the
so-called opposition is often financed from the West…
Iran is bleeding,
suffering, but it is strong. Not everyone agrees with government policies here
(although most of them do support their government), but everybody is
determined to fight and defend his or her country, if it is attacked militarily
or by other means…
…Perhaps that is why the West wants to first ruin, and then to
totally destroy this country… To ruin Iran will not be easy, I would even say:
it could prove impossible. Its people are too smart and determined and strong.
Iran is not alone; it has many friends and comrades…
Don’t take my word for all this. Just come and see. But do not
preach: ask questions, and then, please sit, listen and learn! This country has
more than 7,000 years of tremendous history.
Instead of bombing it, read its
poets, watch its films, and learn from its internationalist stand! And
then, only then, decide, whether Iran is really your enemy, or a dear comrade
and friend.”
I am travelling on
the
August 25 – September 7
To keep up-to-date with alternative world news each day:
For articles on Iran and other subjects of
interest:
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And for more details of my Intrepid Iran Adventure:
Uncover
another world
in Iran with Intrepid
Travel
Snow-capped mountains, glorious
mosques, smoky bazaars, the most fragrant of food…Iran is a treasure trove for
the curious traveller. But it’s the warmth of the local people – people who’ll
invite you into their home for a meal or stop you in the street just to say
‘welcome’ – that stays with you the most. On an Intrepid tour of Iran, our
local leaders will show you the highlights – Esfahan’s immense Imam Square, the
ancient ruins of Persepolis, the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence in Yazd – but
they’ll also show you what it means to be a modern-day Iranian. From bustling
Tehran to romantic Shiraz, join us to eat, cook, shop, learn and explore your
way around this marvellous country. Small groups, big adventures – that’s what
Intrepid’s all about.
